Eredivisie: De Topper: Ajax vs. PSV Eindhoven Preview, Odds, Prediction

De Topper derby is the match between Ajax and PSV, and it is arguably the biggest one in the Eredivisie. These two sides are the former European champions and one along with Feyenoord, the biggest teams in the country. Of course, their history makes them a prominent continental powerhouse as well. Right now, Ajax is first in the standings with one point more than the team from Eindhoven, who started the campaign better but deflated in recent times. PSV even won against the Lancers in the Super Cup, pretty convincingly, we may add.

Preview

Ajax (-250) comes in this matchup as a massive favorite, and there are two reasons for that. The first one is that the hosts play extremely well over the previous several weeks. During midweek, the Lancers ripped apart Borussia Dortmund with 4-0, indicating their current strength.

The second reason are PSV’s massive problems with injuries and the fact that they come without several starters. It is a perfect situation for the home side, who is always very sharp and cruel at Amsterdam Arena, and not too many teams managed to get away without three of four goals in their net.

Ajax has only one loss in the past 10 games, with nine wins besides that. In all but that one match, they’ve scored two or more goals, in six of them three or more. By the way, they didn’t allow a goal at Arena in five of the most recent six events.

PSV (+550) is massacred with injuries, and at least five players won’t play for sure, while five more are doubtful. Roger Schmidt is in trouble because he doesn’t know how to set up tactics before the match as he doesn’t have a clear view of which players he can count.

Before losing to Monaco in Europa League this Thursday night, the team from Eindhoven had three wins in a row. They weren’t particularly confident in the past 10 games, posting six wins, three losses, and a draw.

Yet, there is a pattern for all the bookmakers, that might be useful. The previous six games this unit played were with both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals, which indicates that PSV plays highly efficient matches.

Latest News

Klaiber is still injured, Onana is suspended, while the veteran goalkeeper, Martin Stekelenburg, injured his hip and might be out for a long time.

On the other side, Doan, Kreekels, Ledezma, Madueke and Sambo are all out. Meanwhile, Doudah, Fofana, Gakpo, Oppegard, and Thomas are game-time decisions.

Head to Head Games

There have been 175 matches between these two sides so far. Ajax has 79 wins, while PSV recorded 68, the remaining 28 have been ended with a draw.

The most recent event was this August, when PSV demolished Ajax with 0-4 in Super Cup.

Prediction

That painful defeat will be a massive motive for the hosts to destroy the big rivals who are coming heavily weakened due to multiple absences. Our prediction here is Ajax to win with at least -1.5 goal handicap. The odds on that are +120, which is great.

Pick: Ajax -1.5 +120

Here are the previews for more derbies set for this weekend:

• Manchester United vs. Liverpool
• Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
• Inter Milan vs. Juventus